What is a VoIP Number? Everything You Need to Know

What is a VoIP Phone Number?

A VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone number is a telephone number that is assigned to a user’s VoIP account. Virtual technology allows users to make phone calls over the internet rather than traditional phone lines. A VoIP phone number is associated with a specific provider and can be used to make and receive phone calls from any device that is connected to the internet, such as a computer, smartphone, or VoIP desk phone.

In contrast to traditional phone numbers, which are tied to physical lines and locations, VoIP phone numbers are virtual and can be used from anywhere with an internet connection. Users can often choose their own area code and phone number, and can even use multiple numbers for different purposes, such as a business line and a personal VoIP mobile number, all within the same VoIP account. VoIP telephone numbers may also offer additional features, such as voicemail-to-email transcription, call forwarding, and virtual receptionist services.

VoIP Phone Numbers Distribution

VoIP numbers are real telephone numbers that function like traditional phone numbers and are assigned to users’ VoIP accounts. They are part of the North American Numbering Plan, a regulatory framework for phone numbers in North America, and are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. VoIP phone service providers are among many telephone companies that offer phone numbers, thanks to anti-monopoly laws. The number of VoIP system users has been estimated to be over 50 million, a number that has increased over the years due to the improvement in internet technologies.

Virtual telephone numbers are portable, allowing users to move them between service providers. Users can often choose specific phone numbers, either by browsing the company’s available numbers or by requesting a specific number.

How VoIP Number Can Help Your Business?

A vitrual phone number can be a great addition to any business, helping in the following ways:

Improved accessibility

With a business VoIP number, you and your employees can answer calls from any internet-connected device, making it easier to stay in touch with customers and clients.

Scalability

If your daily call volume has increased, a single VoIP number can handle multiple calls, eliminating the need to purchase multiple phone lines or toll-free numbers.

Personal and professional separation

A VoIP phone allows you to have a special caller ID, which tells you whether the person is calling your business or personal number. Call forwarding technology also enables you to separate business and personal calls.

Easy management of multiple employees

Buying a VoIP number can help businesses with many employees, avoiding the hassle of buying and managing multiple phone numbers.

Advanced features

A VoIP business phone number comes with many advanced features, such as call recording, call routing, auto-attendant, softphone software, and virtual calling. These features make it easier to manage and streamline communication with clients and customers.

How to Get a VoIP Number?

Just follow the four basic steps below and soon the number will be all yours:

1. Choose a reliable provider with a plan that meets your business requirements, taking into consideration features like call quality, scalability, and customer support.
2. Select a phone number that fits your business. Consider factors like the area you operate in and the image you want to convey to customers when you get a VoIP number.
3. Set up your system with customized settings such as business hours, voicemail, and call forwarding. Take advantage of features like call queuing and recording to improve your communication with customers.
4. Integrate your virtual phone number with other business tools such as CRM, email, and messaging apps. Make sure to train your team on how to use the new system efficiently.

Why Get a Voice Over IP Phone Number from MightyCall?

Mobility

MightyCall’s system enables you to get a VoIP phone number that will help you make and receive calls from any device connected to the internet, such as your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. This feature provides greater mobility and flexibility, allowing you to communicate with your customers from anywhere.

Customization

MightyCall allows you to customize your phone number and features to meet your business needs. You can choose a local area code or a toll-free number and customize features such as business hours, voicemail, and call forwarding.

Better voice quality

What is a VoIP call? A higher quality one! MightyCall’s system uses the latest technology to provide better voice quality, delivering clear and uninterrupted calls to your customers.

Affordability

MightyCall offers cost-effective plans that provide access to advanced features, such as call recording and call queuing, at a fraction of the cost of traditional phone systems.

Integration

What is a VoIP number with MightyCall? It’s the ease of integration. MightyCall integrates with other business tools such as CRM software, email, and messaging apps. This integration enables you to manage your business communications more efficiently, all in one place.

Exceptional support

MightyCall provides exceptional customer support, including 24/7 chat and phone support, along with a comprehensive knowledge base to help you resolve any issues quickly and easily.

How to Switch to a VoIP Telephone Number by MightyCall?

Is this a VoIP number or traditional? Does not matter. It’s very easy to turn your current number into a virtual phone with MightyCall. The process is quick and painless- and free!

1. Gather Your Information: You’ll need a signed letter of authorization, your contact information, payment information, and of course your number information.
2. Notify your current provider.
3. Submit your porting request on this page.
4. Wait 10-15 days. Do not cancel your current contract while this is ongoing.
5. Start using MightyCall!

How Does VoIP Number Work?

Virtual phone numbers convert your voice into digital signals and transmit them over the internet. A provider assigns you a virtual phone number, which can be used with a virtual phone, softphone, or adapter that connects to your internet connection. VoIP offers flexibility, with the ability to easily add or remove lines, change call routing options, and scale up or down. The quality of VoIP calls depends on the speed and reliability of your internet connection, so it’s important to have a fast and stable connection to ensure clear and uninterrupted calls.

Additionally, VoIP offers advanced encryption and security features to protect your communication. VoIP calls can be encrypted with industry-standard protocols like TLS and SRTP, ensuring that your conversations are secure and private. VoIP also offers features like firewalls, access control, and fraud detection, to prevent unauthorized access and protect against malicious attacks.

The Difference Between Landline and VoIP Phone Numbers

Key Features of VoIP Telephone Numbers

Call recording – Having the ability to record all calls is a boon for any sized business. Help your employees improve their sales techniques and keep yourself safe from frivolous lawsuits.

Easy call routing – With modern VoIP companies, routing your calls is easier than ever. With companies like MightyCall, you can simply set up the “path” incoming calls will take and then sit back and let the machine do its work.

Voice Transcription – With real-time transcription, you can have every call transcribed automatically and sent to you via email or text message. This feature is particularly useful for busy professionals who need to keep track of important details from phone calls and meetings.

Hold music/information – When you use an online VoIP number, you aren’t the only one who has to do the talking. Easily set up your hold audio to include fun music or pre-recorded audio. Maybe you want to fill callers in on the newest sales? New store hours? How about a fun joke?

Different kinds of phone numbers – With VoIP, an enterprise VoIP number can be any kind of number: international numbers, or perhaps local numbers. You can even have a toll-free VoIP number. All of these have different benefits, and all can be VoIP.

Virtual Receptionist – With a virtual receptionist, you can have an automated system answer incoming calls and route them to the appropriate person or department. This feature is especially useful for businesses with high call volumes, as it can help to streamline call handling and reduce wait times. Additionally, you can customize your virtual receptionist with your own greetings and messages to create a personalized experience for your callers.

Types of VoIP Phone Numbers

Local

A VoIP local number is a number that is tied to a specific geographic location or area code. With a local VoIP number, you can give your business a local presence in a particular area, even if you’re not physically located there. This can help to build trust and familiarity with local customers.

Toll-free

A toll-free VoIP phone number is a number that is free for customers to call. With a toll-free number, you can make it easier for customers to contact you, and remove any barriers to communication. This can be particularly useful for businesses that operate nationally or internationally.

Vanity

A vanity VoIP number is a customized number that spells out a word or phrase using the letters on a telephone keypad. For example, a business that sells hot dogs and wonders how to create a VoIP number that communicates their story will choose the vanity number 1-800-HOTDOGS. This type of number can be easier for customers to remember, and can help to build brand recognition and awareness.

Benefits of a VoIP Business Phone Number

Geographic Flexibility

VoIP allows businesses to choose from a variety of area codes, enabling them to establish a local presence in different regions and build trust with customers in those areas.

Enhanced Accessibility

Toll-free numbers make it easy for customers to call your business, regardless of their location or financial situation, improving accessibility and removing barriers to communication.

Efficient Call Management

VoIP allows businesses to have multiple phones using the same phone number, making it easier to manage incoming calls and ensure that every call is answered, streamlining call management and improving efficiency.

Be Where You Want to Be (Without Being There)

VoIP calls can be made on any internet-connected device, which means you can make and receive calls from anywhere in the world. This feature allows for more flexibility and mobility, making it easier for businesses to work remotely or on the go.

High-Quality Audio and Video Calls

VoIP provides high-quality audio and video calls, making it easier for businesses to communicate effectively and efficiently. This can help to improve customer service and streamline business operations.

Reliability and Performance

VoIP technology has incredibly high rates of performance and reliability, with minimal downtime or dropped calls. This means businesses can rely on VoIP to provide a consistent and uninterrupted communication solution.

How to Prepare Employees to Use VoiP?

Preparing employees to use VoIP is an important part of a successful transition to this new communication system after buying a VoIP phone number. Here are some steps to prepare your employees to use VoIP:

Provide Training

It is important to provide training to your employees to help them understand how to use the new system. This training can include information on how to make and receive calls, how to transfer calls, and how to use any additional features offered by your provider. You can offer training sessions, webinars, or provide written materials to help your employees learn.

Test the System

Before making the switch to VoIP, it is important to test the system to make sure that it is working properly. You can use a pilot program to test the system with a small group of employees to identify any issues or concerns. This will allow you to make adjustments and troubleshoot any problems before rolling out the system to the rest of the company.

Update Equipment

Make sure that all the necessary equipment is in place to support VoIP. This may include updating hardware such as phones and routers, and ensuring that each employee has a reliable internet connection. You may also need to provide headsets or other accessories to help employees use the new system comfortably and efficiently.

Address Employee Concerns

Some employees may be resistant to change or may have concerns about using the new system. It is important to address these concerns and provide reassurance and support to help employees feel comfortable and confident with the new system. You can address concerns through training sessions, one-on-one meetings, or by providing additional resources or assistance as needed.

What is Required for Implementing an IP Phone Number? (Including Equipment)

To get started with a VoIP phone system, you need:

1. High-quality internet connection – around 90 to 100 kbps is recommended for good call quality.
2. Virtual phone service – there are many companies to choose from, like MightyCall.
3. Device for calling – any internet-connected device that can input and output sound can be used, including cellphones, computers, and laptops.
4. Optional headset – for better sound quality and privacy.
5. VoIP adapter – required if combining with an analog service.

Special software or online service – depending on your needs, but not necessary.

Note: The recipient can receive VoIP calls on various devices, not necessarily a VoIP connection.

Best Practices for Choosing a VoIP Phone Number

How you choose your number depends on what you are hoping to accomplish with it.

1. Сonsider what you want to use the number for.

• Customer service: both a toll-free number (inside one country) or foreign numbers help expand the capacities of your customer service team
• Sales: regional numbers: getting numbers from your area (or an area you’re looking to expand into) makes it more likely that people in those areas will pick up
• Vanity numbers: these are easier to remember than random amounts of digits, especially if only glanced at briefly.

2. The size and location of your business also influence the number you’ll choose.

• Small teams: having a regional number for a team that is locally composed just makes good clean sense.
• Nationwide companies: having toll free-numbers gives you a national presence, as they are not geographically linked.
• International companies: if your company is international, it just makes sense that your number would be too, as it will make getting customers in whichever country you’re operating in much easier.
• Enterprise-level companies: if you’re a small start-up, you need all the advertising and name recognition you can get. Vanity numbers can help you get it.

VoIP Service Vulnerabilities

Like any other technology, this has its own vulnerabilities, but if you go in knowing the risks you’ll be prepared to parry anything which comes at you.

VoIP Phishing (Vishing)

Those who are in-the-know can change their IP address (their computer’s “address”) to make it seem like they’re someone you know- a friend, a cousin, etc. This can be dangerous if they’re trying to ask for money. This is a common VoIP fraud, so be aware.

Hosted Phone Scams

It is crucially important to constantly change passwords, at least once a month- especially those passwords which protect your most important data/accounts. Why? These sorts of scams, those of ill-will, can, by exploiting weak passwords or other holes in security systems, get into a hosted service provider’s VoIP network.

Whitelist Phone Scams

A “whitelisted” number is a number that you normally could trust – which means that fraudsters will try to use those to seem like trustworthy people, like a bank or credit agency. They’ll then get important information off of unsuspecting people.

Remote eavesdropping

If your calls and texts are not properly protected, they can be listened to by people who would use it to steal information or blackmail you. This is a serious concern and as a result should be kept in mind. It’s important both for people who are communicating for personal reasons and for folks who are communicating for professional reasons.

VoIP spam

Because of the ability to constantly procure new numbers or extensions, spammers can set their systems to automatically call someone over and over and over. These phone fraud attacks can be annoying, but they can also distract from important business.

How to Protect Yourself From VoIP Fraud Attacks

How can you avoid falling victim to VoIP fraud? The most simple thing you can do is pick a carrier that provides call encryption (via TLS and SRTP). However, you should always safeguard yourself with additional options:

1. Set up an anti-SPAM program
2. Whenever possible, don’t pick up phone calls from unknown numbers
3. Let the call go to voicemail in case of doubt
4. Never, ever give confidential information over the phone except if you called the person, and not the other way around
5. Don’t click on phone numbers or other links in emails from senders you don’t know
6. Frequently change key passwords and make them unique

A landline number can always only be used on one device, unless you have some sort of complex forwarding situation set up (or maybe you have multiple landline phones in one house). But with VoIP, any internet connected device becomes a potential phone.

How much does a Local Phone cost?

The cost of a local phone number can vary depending on the VoIP provider you choose. Generally, the cost of a local phone number is significantly less than a traditional landline phone.

MightyCall, for example, offers local phone numbers as part of their virtual phone system plans. Their pricing starts at $15 per user per month, which includes two local phone numbers and unlimited minutes.

Some providers may also charge additional fees for features like call recording, call routing, and virtual receptionists. It’s important to compare pricing and features across different providers to find the best solution for your business needs and budget.

Get More Bang for Your Buck with a VoIP Number

These numbers work the same as normal numbers, but because they operate over an internet connection, you gain flexibility in use, increased quality of communication, lower costs, and more. It’s why these numbers are so in demand right now.

Want to experience this firsthand? MightyCall can be the way forward. With our finely crafted features, dedicated support staff, and specialized price plan, MightyCall’s VoIP solution could be the solution for you.

About MightyCall

MightyCall has been serving the small business community for nearly a decade, transforming into a streamlined engine that works for any company. With over 10,000 customers boosting their customer communications, MightyCall brings cutting-edge telephony tools to every corner of the continent.

Small and mid-sized businesses are the backbone of America, and MightyCall takes pride helping Main Street stay relevant against Wall Street.